By Vicki Zambito
The New Year is almost upon us and while most of us contemplate changes that we hope reduce our waistlines or increase our bank accounts, the USGBC has been hard at work developing the next evolution of LEED. The second public comment period for the draft version of LEED 2012 has closed. According to the USGBC, it is anticipated that LEED 2012 will be put forth for a member ballot vote in late summer 2012, after the public comment and response periods. Meanwhile, here are six quick things you should be aware of about the proposed LEED 2012 rating system:
1. The number of credit categories has jumped from seven to ten. The three new credit categories are Integrative Process, Location and Transportation, and Performance.
2. The number of prerequisites has climbed from nine to fifteen.
3. Point values of existing credits have changed.
4. The “LEED Accredited Professional” credit has changed. It now requires two additional individuals representing primary disciplines to be LEED AP (with any specialty) or Green Associates. The current language for compliance with this credit requires one LEED AP with applicable specialty.
5. It is anticipated that the LEED Professional Credential program administered through the Green Building Certification Institute will remain the same.
6. Project teams need not comply with the 2012 rating system proposed for public comment. Project teams should follow the rating system version for which they are currently registered.
For more information on LEED 2012, visit http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=9826
Showing posts with label LEED. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LEED. Show all posts
Friday, December 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Teaching an Old Building New Tricks
By Jeff Nippes
Unlike our canine friends, you can teach an old building new tricks. The iconic Empire State Building recently achieved LEED Gold Certification, and now the once dated and inefficient super structure is a lean, mean energy- and natural resource-conserving machine.
The Empire State Building—celebrating its 80th anniversary this year—has undergone a remarkable renovation that will reduce the building’s energy consumption by over 38% and save around $4.4 million in spending every year, meaning it will take only about three years to pay back the cost of the implementation.
The improvements will also enable the Empire State Building to offset around 105,000 metric tons of carbon emissions over a 15-year period. Additionally, many new LEED features include low-flow toilets, carpets made with recycled materials, low-VOC paints and adhesives, green wall coverings, and green pest control and cleaning products. During the renovation process construction debris and tenant waste were recycled to gain building reuse credits, and a new tenant energy management system was introduced.
All of these improvements illustrate that no matter old, big or tall a structure is, there are still plenty of ways to obtain LEED Certification and turn any building into Gold!
Unlike our canine friends, you can teach an old building new tricks. The iconic Empire State Building recently achieved LEED Gold Certification, and now the once dated and inefficient super structure is a lean, mean energy- and natural resource-conserving machine.
The Empire State Building—celebrating its 80th anniversary this year—has undergone a remarkable renovation that will reduce the building’s energy consumption by over 38% and save around $4.4 million in spending every year, meaning it will take only about three years to pay back the cost of the implementation.
The improvements will also enable the Empire State Building to offset around 105,000 metric tons of carbon emissions over a 15-year period. Additionally, many new LEED features include low-flow toilets, carpets made with recycled materials, low-VOC paints and adhesives, green wall coverings, and green pest control and cleaning products. During the renovation process construction debris and tenant waste were recycled to gain building reuse credits, and a new tenant energy management system was introduced.
All of these improvements illustrate that no matter old, big or tall a structure is, there are still plenty of ways to obtain LEED Certification and turn any building into Gold!
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